Monday, January 29, 2007

What we have determined about soothers, and why I'm not giving up this blog

Obviously I'm over what I wrote about yesterday. I know a lot of you don't get it. But, I had to say it. And I had to figure it out. And, to the people who sent me e-mails saying that yep, it's my blog I can say what I want thanks. Cause that's the point. And, as much as sometimes I want to vent about the crap out there I'm not. At the end of the day, no matter what the forum, I'm responsible for what I say. And it would just be really stupid to share some stuff.

And, to the anonymous commenter who found me from Rebecca's blog. HELLO - that is the coolest thing ever! Don't you love her? I love her.

So ...

On to the topic of soothers.

Mike and I were laughing today about soothers. Apparently after nap today Matt had a complete meltdown when they took his soother away. Eventually (and this is why I LOVE this daycare) they let him have it. He was happy, and he needed the added comfort the soother brought. He's 2. I say whatever.
But it made us curious about the whole topic.
What's with this whole soother deal? Why is it that when a child reaches a certain age (1, 2, 3 or 4) parents feel the need to take away the soother. Okay, maybe 4 is a little old, but I don't get the obsession with removing the soother. Sorry. I know a lot of you do.
So, Mike randomly asked Matthew today "who else has a soother at daycare?"
I know a few kids have them but he gave us one response "Julia".
Seriously.
This is the little girl that he hangs out with ALL THE TIME.
He talks about her. She kisses him goodbye. I've never met her since I don't do the daycare pick ups or drop offs, but I know she exists. Cause he talks about her.
And it turns out that she shares his love of soother.
Mike asked me tonight "do you think they are kind of like the foyer crowd but with soothers?"
Actually, I kind of do.
Funny.
Love the soother.
My thoughts on it. We have cut back on the soother. He's content keeping it in his pocket and doing stuff. If he's not tired he can go for long stretches without it. But when he's tired. Seriously he needs it.
The truth is that I've never seen grown kids sucking soothers (well, I have, but not in like the way that a baby/toddler does). And, I know that in kindergarten they won't be allowed them. I've even done some research on it and conferred with my doctor. By all means he's good till the age of 4 then he has to give it up.
My niece gave her soother up around then. I have to admit she's a little like a reformed alcoholic. She can go months without a soother, but if someone slips one to her she just sits there with a look of complete peace on her face. It kills me when I see it (and yes, I am the enabler who occassionally lets her get a taste of soothery goodness).
So, one day we will retire the soother. Oh, and the bottle. But for now. I'm not ready. And neither is Matt.
And, okay, I'll be honest. One time he stuck a soother in my mouth. And it was kind of comforting. But weird. I'm 28 - too old to ever justify it. But, I do see the appeal. There are worse things I tell ya.

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I hate them. I feel like it's stifling the baby, plugging them or something.

That being said, my first son still uses one. Only in his bed, though, and he doesn't seem like he's going to give it up anytime soon.

Baby boy number 2 refuses to take one. I tried, to help calm him, since he is VERY high needs. Nope, no go. Guess i won't have to take it away!!

Blog said...

there are worse things, for sure! The monkey used a soother until she was about 4 months and started sucking her thumb instead. Of course, now she's doubled it up with the breastfeeLing. Suckage, man....

Unknown said...

Glad to see you still here!
Jess had a soother until 7 months at which point, she had started to "wean" herself from it, but we felt like it was unfair of us to keep giving it to her at night when she kept waking up and needing it, but not able to put it in herself.

Anonymous said...

Hmm... I tried to post a message last night but I guess it didn't work.

Do you follow Leah Mclaren as well?

Anonymous said...

I'm with ya on the soother thing. My son is 16 months and loves his. He needs it for naps, bedtime and when he's really really tired and or cranky. I am not in a hurry to get rid of it, especially with another baby on the way. Everyone needs a vice!